Belvedere Palace

Travel tips you can trust

Why the
Belvedere Palace
is special

This building complex in Vienna was the early 18th-century summer
residence of the celebrated military commander Prince Eugene of Savoy.
The architecture of its Upper Palace (see photo) is considered a fine
example of Baroque architecture.

Top 2 must-see
Belvedere Palace
attractions

Upper Palace

Its art museum houses a collection of Gustav Klimt's paintings,
including his world famous gold-rich "The Kiss" masterpiece. Some
visitors visit the site just to see it. His Judith I work is also
popular. Other famous Austrian artists represented include Egon
Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.

Lower Palace

It sits opposite its upper neighbor (separated by the sizable
formal garden) and was built six years earlier. And it's smaller,
less visually striking. And it lacks the visitor-drawing power
of The Kiss. But it and its nearby Stalls and Orangerie buildings
have worth-seeing artwork.

Other attractions

They include the
Formal
Garden (French style with fountains and sculptures)
Orangerie (greenhouse)
Stables (once held the
prince's prime horses). The last two venues have been converted
for exhibiting artworks.

More
Belvedere Palace
tips and insights

Name

Belvedere means "beautiful view" in English. The site overlooks old Vienna.

When to come

The formal garden is best appreciated from mid-spring to early-summer
when it's ablaze with flowers.